WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES JANUARY 2, 2020 13
LETTERS AND COMMENTS
SNAPS
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OP-ED
Investing in the
future of our workers
BY CAROLYN MALONEY
AND JOSE ORTIZ, JR.
Talent can be found in every
town and city, large and small,
across the nation. In no place
is this truer than New York City. Just
take the subway from Coney Island to
Wakefi eld; the city is rich with human
capital.
On that same ride, however, you
are exposed to a hard truth—while
the city is experiencing an economic
boom, many are falling behind as they
lack work experience and professional
skills. Many face obstacles such
as requirements for credentials and
hands-on experience, histories with
the criminal justice system, disabilities
or lack of access to a professional
network.
DeAsia Zellner, a resident of The
Bronx, was one of these New Yorkers—
struggling to get by and fi nding herself
living in a domestic violence shelter
when she became pregnant with her
son. Seeking a stable career for a better
life, Ms. Zellner started a job training
program at STRIVE, an organization
in East Harlem that facilitates professional
development and skills training.
Aft er earning a certifi cation in medical
billing and coding, Ms. Zellner started
an entry-level job with a major health
care network in New York. She later
obtained a double master’s degree and
now earns a salary that is around the
median income for a household.
The obstacles that Ms. Zellner faced
are all too common, and are especially
true for people of color, young adults,
family caregivers and the formerly
incarcerated. On a broader level, the
growth in America’s prime-age labor
force participation rate—the share of
those who are 25-54 years old and employed
or actively seeking work—has
stagnated in recent decades, underscoring
the obstacles to employment.
Organizations like STRIVE and preapprenticeship
programs such as Nontraditional
Employment for Women
are eff ective at improving the lives of
thousands of people like Ms. Zellner.
They also help our society as a whole
by improving labor force participation,
which supports economic growth.
Workers must develop skills to meet
evolving employer needs. These complex
challenges require investments
from government and businesses to
ensure that more people have career
pathways into these new roles. As the
story of DeAsia shows, we can equip
people with the 21st century skills
needed to thrive.
We must do a better job of helping
New Yorkers and Americans gain the
skills needed to improve their lives and
contribute to the economy. Nonprofi t
organizations are leading the way,
and it’s time for more employers and
government agencies to do their part.
Congresswoman Maloney (NY-12) is
Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee,
Chair of the House Oversight
Committee and a senior member of the
House Financial Services Committee.
Jose Ortiz, Jr. is the Executive Director
of the New York City Employment and
Training Coalition.
TIME FOR THE
SPECTRUM STRIKE
TO END AMICABLY
It is now been three years since
1,800 hardworking members of Local
#3 IBEW were forced to go on
strike because Spectrum was not
being fair regarding their jobs and
benefits.
These dedicated men and women
have families to feed and take care
of, as well as bills to pay like everyone
else. Unemployment benefits
only go so far, and then what do
these poor people have to live on?
Why doesn’t Spectrum management
seriously consider sitting
down with these striking employees
and working with them to reach a
just and equitable resolution of this
unnecessary labor dispute?
These hardworking, dedicated
workers are long overdue for a
decent wage increase and improved
benefit packages. As the old saying
goes, “enough is enough!”
My late father was a proud Local
#3 IBEW electrical worker for 44
years, and his father was also Local
# 3 IBEW electrical worker for
32 years. Local #3 rocks, rolls and
rules!
Those striking workers have the
support of this writer. Don’t let
Spectrum have the final say here —
continue to fight for
John Amato,
Fresh Meadows
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